New Zealand and the Isle of Man are set to usher in a new level of tax transparency, cooperation and compliance, after two separate tax agreements between the countries came into force. The High Commission in London has confirmed that the Governments of New Zealand and the Isle of Man have appropriately completed their legal ratification processes regarding the Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) and Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) signed by the countries. With the stipulated one year waiting period over, as outlined ... Read More

The New Zealand Inland Revenue Department (IRD) will begin closer scrutiny of new zealanders with undeclared offshore assets and incomes, in an effort to stop tax evasion. Last week the IRD released a statement disclosing its intention to utilize New Zealand's existing Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEA) to catch potential tax evaders. Martin Scott, Group Manager of Assurance, revealed that the IRD is particularly interested in discovering New Zealand tax residents undisclosed offshore bank accounts, overseas life-insurance policies and superannuation benefits. Under current ... Read More

Independent business groups are calling for the New Zealand Government to institute a new Goods and Service Tax (GST) exemption system for visiting overseas-residents. On June 5th Cameron Brewer, CEO of the Newmarket Business Association, issued a statement supporting Ann Lockhart, CEO of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, who on the same day called for a revised GST-exemption program to be instituted for foreign visitors. Under the proposal, overseas nationals could present their purchase invoices at a New Zealand international airport and be ... Read More